Amidst the mass abandonment of manual transmissions by car manufacturers, Subaru unexpectedly gave hope to fans of traditional driving. The company's management stated that the brand continues to explore the possibility of releasing new models with a "manual," although this is becoming increasingly difficult due to stricter safety and environmental requirements.
The company acknowledged that demand for cars with manual transmissions remains significant, especially among enthusiasts. However, modern driver assistance systems and emission reduction requirements significantly complicate the development of such vehicles.
The problem is not only market demand. Today, most new cars are equipped with active safety systems, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous functions. Integrating these systems with a manual transmission requires additional costs and engineering solutions. This is why many manufacturers are gradually abandoning manual transmissions even in sports models.
For Subaru, the issue is particularly sensitive: the brand has long been associated with driver-focused cars, and the WRX, BRZ, and STI models became iconic precisely due to the combination of all-wheel drive, turbo engines, and manual transmissions. However, today there are fewer and fewer such cars in the company's global lineup.
The market today shows a contradictory trend. On the one hand, the share of cars with "manuals" continues to decline. On the other hand, some sports models show unexpectedly high demand specifically for versions with a manual transmission. For example, a significant portion of buyers for the Toyota GR86, GR Corolla, and several Porsche models still choose a classic transmission.
Subaru does not disclose specific plans but emphasizes that they are not going to completely abandon manual transmissions yet. This is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of the rapid electrification of the industry, where the very concept of manual gear shifting is gradually becoming part of automotive history.